IT Services · Chennai
Cognizant GenC and GenC Elevate tracks offer fresher roles. Interviews include coding assessments, technical, and HR rounds.
Process: GenC Online Test → Technical → HR
What is the difference between Cognizant GenC and GenC Elevate tracks?
Tip: GenC (₹4 LPA): standard programmer analyst role, assessed via basic aptitude + coding. GenC Elevate (₹5.5–6 LPA): advanced coding test, requires DSA proficiency. GenC Next (₹8+ LPA): competitive programming level for top coders.
What is a pointer in C? Explain pointer arithmetic with an example.
Tip: Pointer: variable storing a memory address. Arithmetic: incrementing a pointer by 1 moves it by sizeof(type) bytes — int* moves 4 bytes. Common Cognizant question: difference between ptr++ and (*ptr)++.
What are joins in SQL? Explain INNER, LEFT, RIGHT, and FULL OUTER joins.
Tip: INNER: only matching rows from both tables. LEFT: all rows from left + matched from right. RIGHT: opposite. FULL OUTER: all rows from both, NULL where no match. Draw a Venn diagram — Cognizant SQL questions often include multi-join scenarios.
Explain the concept of virtual functions and vtables in C++.
Tip: Virtual function: declared with `virtual` keyword, resolved at runtime via vtable (array of function pointers). Pure virtual (`= 0`) makes the class abstract. Use when you need runtime polymorphism across derived classes.
Write a SQL query to find the second highest salary from an Employees table.
Tip: Two approaches: (1) SELECT MAX(salary) WHERE salary < (SELECT MAX(salary)) — simple but fragile. (2) SELECT salary FROM (SELECT salary, DENSE_RANK() OVER (ORDER BY salary DESC) AS rk) WHERE rk = 2 — handles ties correctly.
What is a RESTful API? What are its key constraints?
Tip: REST constraints: Stateless, Client-Server, Cacheable, Uniform Interface, Layered System, Code on Demand (optional). Each request must contain all info needed — no server-side session state. HTTP verbs map to CRUD operations.
Describe a time you had to learn a new technology quickly for a project.
Tip: Cognizant values continuous learning. Use STAR: what you needed to learn, your learning strategy (docs, courses, building a small project), timeline, and the outcome. Mention resources like official docs, YouTube, or courses.
What is the difference between synchronous and asynchronous programming?
Tip: Synchronous: each operation waits for the previous to complete — blocks the thread. Asynchronous: operations can start without waiting (callbacks, Promises, async/await). Essential for I/O-heavy applications. Know how the event loop works in Node.js.
How would you handle negative feedback from a manager or senior?
Tip: Structure: Listen fully → Acknowledge the feedback → Ask clarifying questions → Create an action plan. Show growth mindset. Cognizant values "associate well-being" — demonstrate that feedback is a tool for growth, not a threat.
What is the time complexity of common sorting algorithms?
Tip: Bubble/Selection/Insertion Sort: O(n²) average. Merge Sort: O(n log n) guaranteed. Quick Sort: O(n log n) average, O(n²) worst. Heap Sort: O(n log n). For Cognizant GenC Elevate, know merge sort implementation and its stability guarantee.
Cognizant Technology Solutions interviews follow a 3-round process. Here is what to expect and how to prepare for each stage.
Upload your resume and get questions scored across technical depth, communication, structure, confidence, and relevance — the same criteria Cognizant panels use.